Hurricane Zoey pounded the Washington region, pushing a storm surge of nearly 14 feet up the Anacostia River and causing massive flooding in the Washington Harbor. Heavy rains and more than 100 mph winds from the Category 2 hurricane led to a building collapse in Adams Morgan. Nearly 50 people were believed killed by the storm. Dozens of survivors filed into RFK Stadium on Wednesday morning, some newly homeless or disconnected from families, others in a poor state of mental or physical health. The victims found refuge on the second floor of the stadium following the storm, which also left 87,000 homes in the District without power.

The good news: The entire disaster and the city’s response were a drill. As part of the District response exercise series, the D.C. Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency planned a full-scale natural disaster exercise involving all District government agencies and departments. Nongovernmental organizations, such as the American Red Cross, also participated.